Congressman Fred Upton this week praised legislation that he says will help promote research into rare diseases in children. The bills that were approved by the House on Wednesday will allow the National Institutes of Health to fund a consortium formed from cooperating institutions to promote more research into genetic illnesses in kids: Upton says that there are diseases may affect such a small number of children that better coordinating researchers could help speed up finding treatments. The l... Read more

By Rep. Fred Upton - In spite of the uphill challenges they have faced, small business owners continue to lead the way for our economic recovery here in Michigan and throughout the United States. They not only embody the entrepreneurial spirit of our free market economy, but play a vitally important role when it comes to job creation, innovation, and local growth. According to the Small Business Administration, American small businesses account for half of all private sector employees and more t... Read more

By Ralph Lindeman Republican leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Aug. 20 cited “growing concern” about delays at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in providing guidance to states about implementation of the health care reform law. In a sharply worded letter to acting CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner, the GOPlawmakers said “regulatory uncertainty has crippled states and health providers in their ability to plan for future Medicaid expansions or state insurance exchange... Read more

By Rep. Fred Upton - For many Michigan families, the end of August not only means a few more weeks of summer heat but also the beginning of another school year. For parents with children just entering school or daycare, or for older children heading off to college, that means making sure vaccination records are complete and up to date. Immunizations are not just for kids and college students – we all need shots to ward off serious infectious diseases and illnesses like tetanus, measles, diphther... Read more

Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today released a report on the committee’s activities from the 2nd quarter of the 2nd Session of the 112th Congress. The report, the sixth such quarterly report that has been issued by Upton, was delivered to members of the committee and offers highlights of their efforts to create jobs, spur economic growth, protect taxpayers by limiting the size and scope of government, and strengthen protections for in... Read more

By Rep. Fred Upton - There aren't a lot of success stories coming out of Washington these days, but here's one you should know about. Congress recently passed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Safety and Innovation Act, a measure I authored as the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Despite the conventional wisdom that rancor, partisanship and gridlock are permeating our nation's capital, this legislation defied the odds and made it across the finish line. It was signed int... Read more

Watch Video of Fred's House Floor Speech Here Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) today made the following remarks on the House Floor in support of H.R. 6079, the Repeal of Obamacare Act, which fully repeals the President’s healthcare law: Transcript: “House Republicans promised the American people that if granted the majority, we would vote to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. “Let’s face it: Obamacare is nothing like what was promised. Former S... Read more

This afternoon, President Barack Obama signed into law the bipartisan Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Safety and Innovation Act (S.3187), which among other things streamlines the federal approval process for U.S. prescription drugs and medical devices. Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) has led the way in the House for these commonsense reforms, which will enable Michigan manufacturers like Perrigo, Pfizer, and Stryker to better compete with companies overseas, innovate, and create jobs. R... Read more

By Rep. Fred Upton - Last Thursday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court received a bit more attention than usual as folks from across the country sat in anticipation of the Court’s ruling on the President’s controversial healthcare law. While I certainly disagree with the Supreme Court’s opinion, it does not change the American people’s opinion that the law is unaffordable, unworkable, and still must be repealed. This law was controversial as it was being crafted and it has only grown more unpopular ... Read more

Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the health care law: “While I certainly disagree with the Supreme Court’s opinion, it does not change the American people’s opinion that the law is unaffordable, unworkable, and still must be repealed. This law was controversial as it was being crafted and it has only grown more unpopular as its reach into individuals’ lives has gr... Read more